News from the College Counsellors

During Community Time last week, Year 8 heard Police Constables/Youth Officers Sophie Gould and Matt Aldridge from Ryde Police Area Command speak about cyberbullying, the law and other issues affecting young people in schools in our district. 

The message was clear – if someone is threatening, bullying or harassing you online, police want to know about it and can help. Police will investigate any reports of bullying, intimidation and harassment of a young person and can take action. While this process may seem daunting, the officers emphasised that, to begin with, young people should always inform a trusted adult and look at next steps together. 

Do you know the age you are legally responsible for what you do online?

You may be surprised to find out that in Australia, you can be charged for breaking the law at the age of 10. It is illegal to use a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. Students learnt that a carriage service is anything from Instagram, TikTok, Dodo, Optus, Vodafone, Telstra, to gaming platforms. 

This week, students were shown a short video on the age of legal responsibility and online behaviours and had the opportunity to discuss it in their homeroom. You may like to ask your daughter about what they learnt and watch the link together – you will find this posted on their COMPASS Dashboard.

Bullying. No way! has information to help young people and families understand what bullying is, what to do if someone is being bullied and who students can turn to for help.

The eSafety Commissioner has a range of topics for young people to explore for guidance around staying safe online.  

Reporting cyberbullying

Keep a record

Young people are encouraged to keep a record, take screenshots or photos of any cyberbullying content and note the webpage addresses or social media services where the content has been shared. 

Report and block

Report the cyberbullying to the platform where it took place. The eSafety Guide has reporting links for social media services, apps, games and websites. 

Make a complaint

If you are under 18 and the social media service does not respond to your complaint within 48 hours, you can report seriously threatening, intimidating, harassing or humiliating online behaviour to the eSafety Commissioner. 

If you would like to discuss any of the above or have wellbeing concerns related to your daughter, please contact the Leader of Wellbeing, House Coordinators or College Counsellors on (02) 9816 2041. You may also email carly.boaler@syd.catholic.edu.au or louise.scuderi@syd.catholic.edu.au 

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #2, #6 & #8